I didn’t happen to mention Carson or Hyman because they are not so much palaeoanthropologists.

Both of these women were very successful (financially) as writers (relative to other writers, at least) and were therefor not as dependent on the established academic patriarchy as they might have otherwise been.

It is not really fair or appropriate to say that Caron did not have a husband (or date?). Well, yes, that’s true, but it obviates what she did have, which was complicated.

Greg, is this what a silverback has to put up with every time the moon waxes, then wanes into a warm spring?

I think the only way you can win this one is to step out of science altogether, so that the girlzz can do all da’ maths and stuff, and gitz da gud jobz…

Oh, wait: if we leave the bonobos to have the entire field/s/s of science, they will all be too busy sniffing each others buttz and gg rubing–getting no maths done!

It’s rather nice to smooth the path of communication for someone who takes it at face value.

I wouldn’t claim to go quite that far!

Well, that’s the funny thing about overinterpreting what someone writes. Sarcasm is all well and good, and I’ve been known to do a bit of mockery in my day — but in general, it’s a very good idea to take people at their word unless you have damned good reason to believe otherwise. As in, you’ve known each other for a long time and have established a degree of rapport.

So — considering the number of thermal neutrons [1] circulating in the blogosphere, I truly appreciate a chance to just exchange packets with someone else who is willing to have a conversation rather than an exchange of verbal artillery.

Once again, Ms. Zvan, it’s been a pleasure.

[1] Ask me someday about the neutron metaphor for human interaction.

Wait a minute, how do you now about the pasta!?!?!? Was that you following me around in the grocery store!?!?!

I’m quick, but the injuries this last year have reduced my super-speed to the point where I have to rely on l33t hax0r sk1llz. Look around next time for the security cameras.

Did you see that deal on out of date tuna fish?

See above. And here’s a tip: if someone claims to be selling you out-of-date tinned tuna, they’re lying. The dates on tinned tuna qualify them for inclusion in time capsules going into salt mines — and they’ll still be theoretically edible when erosion exposes the capsule.

that observation is not valid and you don’t get to come on my blog and lay it on me as though it was some kind of established fact.

First things first: I apologize. No qualifiers.

Secondly: Thanks again, Ms. Z.

Finally: Some of that “industrial” career has involved information theory, semantics, and also very precise legal/technical communication. I do not trivialize the difficulty of communication, for any of the parties involved.

Be well, Greg. Enjoy the pasta.